Speculation: LA Kings News, Rumors, Roster Thread part VII

[Statto]

We don't.

I wish all the Kings content producers (independent and otherwise) would communicate better and be aware of what the others were doing but I'm told I hold people to unreasonable standards.

Thank you. I think you get away with it as you all have different styles so even the overlap tends to be different from my perspective at least. That said your standards aren’t just reasonable, it’s common sense.

 

[Statto]

But you are leaving out the two championships in the previous 3 years as if that has no merit at all.

Every GM makes head scratching mistakes...not every GM wins a Stanley Cup or TWO.

I really hope his book exposes some of this stuff as I've been very curious for a long time. I loved Lombardi and still believe he would have righted the ship. I absolutely hated the decision to promote Blake -- but I feel differently about that in 2022.

In terms of keeping or firing him it didn’t have merit. If anything it allowed him 3 years instead of just canning him over Voynov. Without the 2 cups that shambles alone would have cost him the job.

I was very much on the DL train from day 1. I could see what he was trying to do even when people were freaking out over getting guys like Calder. Not everybody was on board back then, far from it. However the last 3 years were a disaster and he’s lucky he was given those 3 years, most organizations would not have even with the 2 cups. Sutter was the straw that broke the camel’s back and not canning him before the end of that season is when I lost faith. He should rightly always be considered a Kings legend but it was definitely time to let him go.

I also liked the Blake hire from day 1, so hopefully that’s a good omen.

 

[ibleedkings]

Dean was never going to change. This was a guy that said he wished he could have a team full of Mike Ricci’s lol. Also his stubborn ass decision to make team USA full of grinders and leave the goal scorers at home worked out great.

Always grateful for what he did here but it was absolutely time he was shown the door. It’s frustrating when someone doesn’t want to evolve with the times, he’ll even Torts said that he has to change his coaching style because his old way of thinking doesn’t work anymore.

 

[kilowatt]

Excited to see Turcotte included on this list!

Also, I think we definitely romanticize Lombardi’s tenure because he’s the first GM in our history to win a cup. He made a lot of mistakes along the way. It’s easy to look back fondly at the good times.

 

[Schrute farms]

Best thing about that rookie list above is Turcotte's name on it.
Next step is him actually getting on the ice and then staying on the ice. Fingers crossed.

 

[YP44]

If QB falters than look out!

 

[Herby]

Really surprised they are still having QB participate in these. He is the only guy who seems locked into a roster spot.

Same thing with Madden who turns 23 very shortly. Madden is only a couple of months younger than JAD and Vilardi.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

Excited to see Turcotte included on this list!

Also, I think we definitely romanticize Lombardi’s tenure because he’s the first GM in our history to win a cup. He made a lot of mistakes along the way. It’s easy to look back fondly at the good times.

Anybody know if these games will be streamed at all?

 

[Johnny Utah]

I loved DL but I think the poster above is correct, he wouldn’t change and he def wouldn’t fire Sutter. I think he even said that.

That left AEG no choice.

 

[All The Kings Men]

I know enough to know that I don't know anything about it and that the public discourse I have seen is either completely wrong or at the very best over simplified.

 

[Choralone]

I've been banging the drum all summer for Kupari breaking out this year. Glad to see I'm not alone. I just think he finally figured out what kind of game he needs to play in the bigs and just needs the ice time to execute.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

Dude, don't say you know nothing about it, but then make these subtle inferences that you do. Which one is it?

Really surprised they are still having QB participate in these. He is the only guy who seems locked into a roster spot.

Same thing with Madden who turns 23 very shortly. Madden is only a couple of months younger than JAD and Vilardi.

I think it was on one of Jesse's pods, but there was mention of the org wanting these kids who have 'graduated' to be a part of these and act as leaders for the younger guys.

 

[Cianide]

They spent the previous 3 seasons before last tanking...how many more should they go? Besides, they aren't acquiring an 8-mil player so they can pursue a lottery pick.

It can take years for a proper rebuild. I don't think they want that.

 

[All The Kings Men]

Dude, don't say you know nothing about it, but then make these subtle inferences that you do. Which one is it?

I've heard enough different stories from enough different places to think that in the end it probably wasn't just one thing.

I've been alive long enough and worked in enough different places to KNOW that it wasn't just one thing.

Nothing is EVER just one thing.

So I don't know what happened and I'm not going to start repeating half truths and speculation that I've heard from dozens of different sources so that others can start repeating them as if they're absolutely true.

 

[Peter James Bond II]

I've been banging the drum all summer for Kupari breaking out this year. Glad to see I'm not alone. I just think he finally figured out what kind of game he needs to play in the bigs and just needs the ice time to execute.

I agree. Someone called Kupari 'Kempe with more skill"...that's a reach and I don't think he actually does, but he can sure do it all. Just needs to do it all consistently. The knee injury set him back some, but think he's ready to break out. When he plays physical, he's at his best. He;'s a pretty powerful dude. Just wish he and QB can both start getting some PP time. Grundstrom should be given a shot to be PP2 fixture in front of the net. I'm so happy about the Hiller hire.
I think we will see high tempo powerplays and much more potency.

I liked the NHL Q&A with Fiala this week

Fiala talks starting over with Kings in Q&A with NHL.com | NHL.com

Forward aims to help Los Angeles 'take big steps' after trade from Wild in June

www.nhl.com

One question:
The Kings had several rookies make an impact last season such as forwards Quinton Byfield, 20, Arthur Kaliyev, 21, and Rasmus Kupari, 22, and defenseman Sean Durzi, 23. Do you think you can help them and the Kings' other young players through your experience?

"Hopefully. That's my goal as well. I've been through a lot. I'm still young, but I've been through a lot and will for sure help them out."

Sure, what else would he have said? However, I believe he will help them and any of the youth to elevate...kind of how Kopi and Danault work with Byfield. I also consider Fiala helped 29 year old, Frederick Gaudreau, come out obscurity and score 44 points. Pretty noteworthy. I actually hope that it's not Fiala, Kopitar and Kempe, but Fiala plays with at least one of: Byfield, Kaliyev , Kupari and helps propel their game.

 

[Herby]

The Kupari love is great and all, but unless Hoven is just completely full of crap he is saying the Kings are going to have Kupari in the AHL. And based on Blake's AHL obsession I would believe that is probably going to be the case.

What an awesome way that would be to reward a young player who actually showed some progress last season and looks like he has a defined role in the NHL going forward. Right back down to the AHL. And to keep 3 guys that really have no defined role but they are just terrified they might lose for whatever reason.

This would be parts of 4 seasons that Kupari has played in the AHL, and would take him right up to waiver eligibility next season, totally normal way to handle youth, especially a 1st round pick.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

It can take years for a proper rebuild. I don't think they want that.

I guess the question would be, what is the definition of a 'proper rebuild'? If it is anything like "suck really bad for more than x-amount of years so you can get more than x-amount of 1st round picks"....then yes, I guess you are correct....they don't want that and neither does anyone else. BTW, they kept their 1st round picks for 5 years in a row 2017-2021.

Vilardi
Kupari
Turcotte
Byfield
Clarke

For the record, I don't believe the org ever came out and said they were going to rebuild.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

The Kupari love is great and all, but unless Hoven is just completely full of crap he is saying the Kings are going to have Kupari in the AHL. And based on Blake's AHL obsession I would believe that is probably going to be the case.

Let's just easily forget that Kupari played 57 games in the big league last year -- goddamn Blake AHL obsession!

 

[Herby]

Let's just easily forget that Kupari played 57 games in the big league last year -- goddamn Blake AHL obsession!

You want more "fancy stats" about the AHL usage by the Kings in comparison to the rest of the league, or you want to just take my word for it?

Would it make you happier if I changed the wording and said "Based on past evidence the Kings will have Kupari in the AHL rather than risk losing 3 lesser 'prospects' "

Or you could have an actual dialogue instead of these one or two sentence replies.

Do you believe after last season that Kupari should be in the AHL this coming season?
Would it be optimal for his development in his age 22 season to be demoted back to the AHL?
Should the Kings play the best players or should they take waivers over a meritocracy?
Should fear of losing Vilardi, Lias or JAD factor into roster decisions?

 

[Choralone]

I don't remember if all the logo and jersey talk was in this thread, but instead of a crown, we need King Conan on his throne. That is all.

 

[DoktorJeep]

The answer to why Lombardi was fired is immaterial. It was done and there is no going back, whatever the reasons.

The only question that matters is what was AEG’s process for replacing him. The evidence says it was non existent and zero interviews were conducted for external candidates.

Given the change happened right after the season ended, the decision to anoint BLuc was made with apparent haste. Unless there was some in season search no one has ever heard about.

Any multi billion dollar organization must perform due diligence when making executive placements. Zero evidence exists that Dan Beckerman did that before or after firing Dean.

 

[Herby]

The answer to why Lombardi was fired is immaterial. It was done and there is no going back, whatever the reasons.

The only question that matters is what was AEG’s process for replacing him. The evidence says it was non existent and zero interviews were conducted for external candidates.

Given the change happened right after the season ended, the decision to anoint BLuc was made with apparent haste. Unless there was some in season search no one has ever heard about.

Any multi billion dollar organization must perform due diligence when making executive placements. Zero evidence exists that Dan Beckerman did that before or after firing Dean.

This is 100% correct.

With the way the organization had faltered on and off the ice you would have thought they would have looked outside the organization and started over with a new GM and coach. But yeah, all they did was promote everyone up a spot.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

You want more "fancy stats" about the AHL usage by the Kings in comparison to the rest of the league, or you want to just take my word for it?

Would it make you happier if I changed the wording and said "Based on past evidence the Kings will have Kupari in the AHL rather than risk losing 3 lesser 'prospects' "

Or you could have an actual dialogue instead of these one or two sentence replies.

Do you believe after last season that Kupari should be in the AHL this coming season?
Would it be optimal for his development in his age 22 season to be demoted back to the AHL?
Should the Kings play the best players or should they take waivers over a meritocracy?
Should fear of losing Vilardi, Lias or JAD factor into roster decisions?

Do you believe after last season that Kupari should be in the AHL this coming season? - No (I also don't think it's the end of the world either if the time is split)

Would it be optimal for his development in his age 22 season to be demoted back to the AHL? NO -- If it's a numbers game, I think 'demotion' is being dramatic. (shocker)

Should the Kings play the best players or should they take waivers over a meritocracy? Who are you referring to that he would be better than that the Kings would play over him?

Should fear of losing Vilardi, Lias or JAD factor into roster decisions? -- Yes, you are ok with losing Vilardi for nothing? Lias or JAD I'm not too concerned with.

 

[All The Kings Men]

But yeah, all they did was promote everyone up a spot.

That's actually not exactly accurate...

As discussed on the latest episode of All The Kings Men (I hate it when people do that *cough*)

Prior to the firing of Dean and Daryl...

The company was clearly divided into Hockey Operations and Business Operations.

Dean was President of Hockey Ops and Luc was president of Business Ops.

When Dean was fired, Luc wasn't promoted per se. They simply restructured the company so that there is one president.... Luc Robitaille.

Rob Blake was promoted from assistant GM to GM and Luc Robitaille assumed the newly created position, President of the LA Kings.

I know it's semantics but I'm a stickler.

 

[DoktorJeep]

That's actually not exactly accurate...

As discussed on the latest episode of All The Kings Men (I hate it when people do that *cough*)

Prior to the firing of Dean and Daryl...

The company was clearly divided into Hockey Operations and Business Operations.

Dean was President of Hockey Ops and Luc was president of Business Ops.

When Dean was fired, Luc wasn't promoted per se. They simply restructured the company so that there is one president.... Luc Robitaille.

Rob Blake was promoted from assistant GM to GM and Luc Robitaille assumed the newly created position, President of the LA Kings.

I know it's semantics but I'm a stickler.

Sounds just like when Saddam deposed the king of Iraq and installed the Ba’ath party.